FIGHT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

History of the Campaign

Housing Takeover

Center City Tent City

Tent City: to the Liberty Bell

"Clintonville" Tent City

Religious Statement on the Housing Struggle

Center City Tent City

The homeless families of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union, set up a Tent City today in the heart of Philadelphia's business district, in front of the Office for Housing and Community Development at 1234 Market St. After being evicted from an abandoned HUD house last week, these homeless families have nowhere else to go.

They spent the morning asking each city and federal housing agency "Where is the Affordable Housing?" They were told by HUD, the Office of Emergency Services, and the Office of Housing and Community Development that there is no currently available affordable housing.

There is a serious crisis of affordable housing in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer estimates that there are over 40,000 abandoned buildings and 24,000 homeless people. The waiting list for Section 8 affordable housing vouchers is ten years long and the list is closed.

We will not allow these problems to be invisible.We will not stop until these families get housing.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

These families desperately need the following items:

  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Cots
  • Blankets
  • Children's Toys
  • Plastic to protect us from the rain
  • HOUSING!

Also, you can call and demand emergency housing for these families:

  • Office of Housing and Urban Development (215) 656-0500
  • Office of Housing and Community Development (215) 686-9723
  • Office of Services to Homeless Adults (215) 686-6872